Police investigates own handling in kidnapping case
25 Sep, 2008, 10:46 (GMT -04:00)
KRALENDIJK Chief of Police of Bonaire John Schagen has ordered the Bureau Internal Affairs to investigate whether the police handled correctly when they received the first report on Sunday morning at two thirty, when people witnessed how Marlies van der Kouwe (24) was dragged off her bicycle, up to Monday afternoon when they started the large scale investigation. There is still no trace found of the Dutch girl, making the chances that she is still alive smaller by the minute.
Schagen: Approximately at two thirty early morning on Sunday, employees of WEB immediately warned the police when they saw that a woman was taken on a scooter. A police patrol arrived at the scene shortly afterwards and recorded the statement of the witnesses. Only on Monday morning was the Criminal Investigations Department informed by the police about the incident. They then started the investigation and spoke to the witnesses. The National Police Force was informed on Monday afternoon around two oclock, after which I informed the Public Prosecutor. We immediately started a large scale investigation that Monday afternoon. That same Monday I ordered the Bureau of Internal Affairs to start an internal investigation on the proceedings. The family of Marlies van der Kouwe arrived on Bonaire on Tuesday evening and have been taken in by the police who will continue guiding the family. The family wishes to be left in peace.
The search for the young lady will continue with the help of the coast guard. The police also called in Stinapa to help in the search. The rangers of Stinapa are used to walking in nature and know the coastal waters of Bonaire very well. For the investigation, the police will get the help of three investigators of the National Police Force, three employees of the NFI and also extra capacity of the police force form Curaçao.